When Maxima had envisioned bartering for a weapon of exceptional quality, debating with an adolescent Earth girl was certainly not part of that image. Princess Starfire's introduction to her charge, however, proved an intriguing diversion. Among the scions of the Luthor dynasty, it was the daughter who possessed the more extensive knowledge of close-combat weaponry that Maxima sought—and despite her youth, she was demonstrating herself to be a surprisingly knowledgeable company.
There was a calculated precision to the girl that contrasted sharply with Maxima's more imperious demeanor, yet the queen could recognize in Cassandra Luthor a fundamental passion for martial excellence that she hadn't expected to find in a mercantile heiress. It made the girl all the more interesting.
The LexCorp weapons laboratory gleamed with cold efficiency around them as Maxima studied the holographic display with growing disappointment.
"These designs are... inadequate," Maxima declared, dismissively waving her hand through the projection of a sleek energy rifle. Her crimson hair cascaded down her back like blood over her royal attire. "I require something more personal."
Cassandra stood with perfect posture, her dark hair pulled back in a tight bun. "The agreement was for a weapon that leverages your unique abilities," she stressed. "Something custom-designed for your specific powerset."
Maxima understood that good service meant trying to anticipate the customer's needs, but the girl's machinations were largely unnecessary. Still, she would humor the young Luthor.
"Indeed," Maxima replied, eyes narrowing. "And I've decided on a sword. Specifically, a two-handed, double-edged blade with a proper crossguard for dueling. It's a worthy weapon for someone of my stature." At minimum, it could serve as an acceptable trophy should their collaboration prove disappointing.
Cassandra's expression remained neutral as her finger tapped thoughtfully on her datapad. "With respect, Your Highness, a sword would not properly leverage your superhuman abilities. Providing one would constitute a breach of our agreement."
Maxima flipped her hair back, eyes flashing with indignation. "You presume to tell me what weapon suits me best? A sword allows for perfect flow between movements. The transitions between strikes occur primarily through subtle manipulations of the wrist, the below and the shoulder." She demonstrated with a graceful movement of her hand. "This creates an efficiency of motion that few other weapons can match. It is the quintessential warrior's choice."
"By your own description," Cassandra noted with diplomatic gentleness, "swords are fundamentally speed-based weapons. Indeed, you are correct—everything in swordsmanship, from the weight distribution to grip positioning, is designed for a flow of decisive movements rather than overwhelming force."
She stepped forward, holding the pad as though it were a weapon, executing a flawless series of movement patterns that caused Maxima to raise an eyebrow in grudging appreciation.
"When it comes to raw power generation," Cassandra continued, "proper positioning and body alignment through movement—what we call 'structure' on Earth—will always supersede brute strength, both in generating strikes and in parrying. A sword effectively leverages your speed by making your superhuman strength largely superfluous. You're negating your own natural advantages."
Maxima scoffed. "You speak as though I've never wielded a blade before." Indeed, the martial treatises of Almerac had been drilled into her since childhood, when she'd sat at her father's knee. "When one reaches my level of might, such limitations become meaningless. 'Structure' is a concept best reserved for those who cannot fly or rely solely on their physical frames to generate power. In that sense, Earthling martial arts are not optimal." She raised a hand, causing her sword to levitate above it in rotations.
"I speak as someone trained to understand the biomechanics of combat," Cassandra replied evenly. "As you mentioned, you can fly. Have you considered that Earth's historical cavalry swords might offer a superior template? Sabers and similar curved blades were designed specifically for angled attacks that utilize forward momentum rather than traditional swinging structures to generate force. Their wielders used horses to provide that momentum; you can use flight."
Maxima paused, genuine interest flickering across her face before being replaced by smug amusement. "How quaint. To think that mere centuries ago, you primitive Earthlings were engaging in combat in such barbaric fashion." She paced the length of the laboratory, her royal attire shimmering with each purposeful step. "If I were to choose a weapon specifically for aerial combat utility, I might as well select a ranged weapon altogether."
The disgust in her voice at that final thought was palpable.
"That would be the logical choice," Cassandra agreed with calm pragmatism, not a hair out of place.
"But a sword is the proper weapon for someone of my standing," Maxima insisted, her tone hardening. "Royal bloodlines across the galaxy carry ceremonial blades. It is tradition. A symbol of power, more than merely a weapon."
Cassandra's lips curved into the ghost of a smile. "If tradition and status are your primary concerns, might I suggest a halberd or poleaxe?" Her eyes gleamed, and Maxima realized this had been the girl's target all along. "These were the weapons of elite knights, not common soldiers as many assume. The leverage provided by the long haft combined with the axe head allows for devastating strikes while maintaining excellent control and diverse angles for thrusts without requiring adjustments. The capacity for slashing and bashing through defenses, combined with superior reach, makes them extraordinarily versatile."
With a few deft flicks of her wrist, Cassandra's device displayed historical images of ornate polearms, many adorned with royal insignias and precious metals.
"The weight distribution favors heavy strikes, properly leveraging your super strength while still providing the distance and control of a spear. The hook on the reverse side—" she indicated the feature with a precise gesture, "—allows for dismounting mounted opponents or, in your case, pulling flying enemies from the sky."
Maxima examined the images with a dismissive wave. "Such weapons are carried by palace guards on Almerac, not royalty. Walking the corridors of my palaceand the streets of my cities with such an implement would signal to my people that we are about to enter a state of war." She shook her head firmly. "Socially unacceptable."
"As queen," Cassandra noted quietly, her gaze meeting Maxima's directly, "isn't 'socially acceptable' whatever you will it to be?"
A surprised chuckle escaped Maxima's lips. "You are indeed correct, Cassandra Luthor. Your insight is truly formidable!" Her expression sobered. "Still, tradition has its place—even for queens. In the Hall of Champions at the heart of Almerac's royal citadel, the weapons of our greatest warriors are enshrined. Nearly all are blades. That is no coincidence."
"I suppose, if you are more invested in winning over people than you are in winning battles." Cassandra riposted.
Maxima gave a throaty laugh at the girl's audacity. Few would dare speak to her with such candor.
"You may as well use a rapier then," Cassandra continued, displaying the relevant image. "It is the superior weapon for dueling."
"A rapier is but a one-handed spear!" Maxima protested indignantly. To wield such a flimsy, one-dimensional weapon! A light parry could snap it in half!
"Yes, which makes it the best sword," Cassandra replied drily. "If portability is your concern, it will outperform every weapon of equivalent size in single combat. The point control is unmatched, and the linear thrust channels force efficiently." Maxima did not deign to respond, merely scoffing.
Seeing Maxima's continued resistance, she changed tactics. "If you intend to carry this weapon regularly—though I wouldn't recommend it—perhaps a mace would serve your purposes better. The mass distribution is favorable while still generating force through the kinetic chain of the body much like a sword, giving you the best of both worlds."
Maxima's nose wrinkled in distaste. 'It has no fluidity or speed. A mace generates force through sheer angular momentum—once committed, it must recover before striking again. There's no graceful transition, no immediate thrust or redirection from the bind. It's brutish, inelegant. The weapon of those with strength but no finesse."
"That's a common misconception," Cassandra replied, her voice steady. "War hammers and maces weren't crude—they were tactical. They required just as much skill, just not in the same way. A mace isn't meant for flourish or flow. It's designed to exploit weaknesses in armor—its flanged head concentrates force to a precise point, delivering concussive trauma where blades would glance off. You don't need to redirect from the bind when your first strike crushes through plate or moves the opponent out of position."
Seeing Maxima unmoved, Cassandra tried yet another approach. "What about a telescoping poleaxe? Compact for carrying, expandable for combat."
"I've encountered 'mechashifting' weapons before," Maxima said with a knowing smirk. "They invariably lack structural integrity. The joints become the weakest points, creating vulnerabilities that, even if not exploited by an opponent, would inevitably cause a breakdown down the line." Her tone was slightly chiding, but Cassandra took it in good humor.
"All the science in the world cannot save something from being overdesigned, I suppose," Cassandra mused with a genuine smile. "Physics remains consistent across the universe." She seemed to find her own comment amusing, though Maxima couldn't fathom why. "All the same, you will not find Luthor engineering lacking."
Maxima smirked. She would see if the Luthors could keep their word. "What remains, then?"
"Poleaxes, halberds," Cassandra persisted, seemingly oblivious to Maxima's growing irritation—or perhaps deliberately ignoring it.
"Again with this?" Maxima's voice rose slightly. "These are the cheaply-made tools of peasantry."
"Poleaxes are the weapons of the rich and powerful," Cassandra insisted with surprising passion. "Swords were unsuited for battle against armor, making them more appropriate for the sort of person who would cut down unarmored peasants." Her gaze was steady and challenging. "I suppose if your goal was to swiftly dispatch the defenseless, a sword might indeed be more suitable..."
Maxima narrowed her eyes at the sheer audacity. "I am a warrior, not an executioner," she almost sneered, causing Cassandra to level a look directly into her eyes.
"Then you ought to find a weapon most suited for warriors of your particular prowess and renown... Like a polearm."
"Now listen here, you...! Are you calling me a peasant?!"
"That is not, in fact, what I said," Cassandra replied with infuriating calm.
Starfire, who remained in the room and had been utterly forgotten by either party, watched the two bicker back and forth with growing delight. She was happy that they had found so much in common!
